Learn New Skills Using Your iPhone

Learn New Languages With the Help of Your iPhone

This article is part of our Mobile Phones & Smartphones resource section.

Specific skills like how to learn new languages using the iPhone are now becoming essential. Beyond communication, many people now see their phones as knowledge sources to develop themselves. One of these is the use of language learning apps. But how do we know the best language tool for our phones?

The iPhone is a versatile smartphone that can support learning through educational apps, audio lessons, videos, reading materials, and interactive exercises. The experience varies somewhat by model and screen size, so users considering newer devices can also compare the iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 to understand the differences between recent generations.

Older iPhones can still be useful learning devices as well. You can explore some interesting facts about the iPhone 12 or compare the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max to see how Apple’s earlier models differ in display size and other features.

Choosing the Best Language Learning Apps

Before starting to learn a language online, the determination of the best language learning apps is essential. There are so many of them that choosing one can be tasking.

Whichever learning apps you choose, keeping them updated can help you access newer features, compatibility improvements, and fixes. Our guide covering the steps to update an app on Android and iOS provides an example of the mobile app update process.

Continue reading to see our 8 different classifications of the learning apps based on study schedule or preferred learning style.

1. Best Learning App for Multiple Languages – Duolingo

With over 50 available languages, Duolingo is one of the top English learning apps. It’s popular, flexible, and an excellent starting choice for people hoping to learn more than one language eventually. Besides, learning access is free, and you only have to pay to unlock their website ads.

Installing several educational apps and downloading offline lessons can gradually consume available storage. If space becomes limited, follow these practical methods to free up space on your iPhone while keeping the apps and learning materials you use most frequently.

2. Best App for Studying a Language – LiveXP

The full LiveXP app is available for iPhone users since July 2021. This app allows you to learn languages via 1-on-1 lessons with teachers from all over the world. 23 languages are available for learning on LiveXP. You can find native speakers, professional teachers, tutors who can speak your native language at any cost and take 1-on-1 lessons. Online courses and pre-recorded lessons are also available for language learners. You pay per hour of lessons and choose the tutor you like. And all these options of learning are easy to be used both with your iPhone and your computer.

If you frequently move between your phone and computer while studying, you may also find it useful to learn about mirroring an iPhone to a PC. Displaying supported mobile content on a larger screen can be convenient when working through lessons or other educational material.

3. Best Learning App with School-Like Environment – Babbel

Often regarded by many as the most beneficial online learning languages tool, Babbel is next on our list of the best language learning apps. The interface is excellent, especially with the short 10-15 minutes activity modules that allow you to learn between tight schedules.

Whether you want to learn English online or their other 13+ languages, their comprehensive compilation of language lessons is all you need. Besides, it’s possible to get started for free or do a paid subscription to enjoy live lessons by expert tutors further.

Since educational apps may contain account information, subscriptions, progress records, and other personal data, device security remains important. Familiarize yourself with signs that an iPhone might be at risk, and consider how to protect iOS devices through a VPN when studying over public or otherwise untrusted networks.

4. Best App to Learn Through Dictation/Object Identification – Rosetta Stone

The iOS-supported Augmented Reality feature of the Rosetta Stone makes it stand out as a credible online learning app. The 23+ languages app identifies objects in the language learned by simply pointing your camera to them.

Camera-based learning is one example of how newer smartphone hardware can expand the ways educational apps work. If you are considering a more recent Apple device for learning, photography, and everyday use, our Apple iPhone 15 review provides a closer look at another generation of the iPhone.

That’s not all. It also has an offline mode that provides continuous access to the learning materials anywhere you are. However, its 30-minute courses are a bit longer and require secluded time for proper understanding. There is also the option to sign up for live-tutored classes.

5. Best App to Learn on the Go – Pimsleur

What many language students like about the Pimsleur learning tool is how it’s almost like a podcast. The podcast form makes it easy to learn a language on your phone while busy or even driving. It’s a “listen and learn” platform with more than 50 languages.

Audio courses, downloaded lessons, notes, and other learning materials can become valuable personal data over time. Maintaining a reliable backup can reduce the risk of losing important information, and our guide to the best iPhone backup software covers several options.

There are also audio CDs available for those who don’t have time to learn a language online.  Nevertheless, Pimsleur still has digital flashcards, comprehension passages, and reading modules for paid subscribers.

6. Best App to Learn Via Music Aids – Lirica

Have you ever imagined the possibility of learning a new language using your favorite music? That’s what Lirica does. The principle is that individuals gradually get absorbed in their favorite songs’ lyrics, regardless of the language.

By complimenting online learning with music, the student learns not only the language but part of the culture as well. However, Lirica has a significant down point. Asides from being one of the English learning apps, it has Spanish as the only other available language option.

If important downloaded lessons, recordings, documents, or other files are accidentally deleted, specialized recovery utilities may provide options depending on how the information was lost. You can explore iPhone data recovery software or read our AceThinker iPhone Data Recovery review.

7. Best App to Learn Through Comprehensive Reading – Beelinguapp

Combining the Beelinguapp with other learning apps like Babbel or Duolingo is another way to learn a language on your phone. However, its long texts are ideally suited for only those that prefer learning by reading.

It also functions as an audiobook for reading out browsed texts. Hence, making it preferred to the languages and English learning apps that utilize only word pronunciation tools. Like other online learning applications, it has free access, but you can pay for more advanced features.

Users who maintain large collections of audiobooks, documents, recordings, and other educational files may also want more control over how iPhone content is organized from a computer. Our guide to the best iTunes alternatives for iPhone data management covers additional options.

8. Best App for Learning new languages using games – Qlango

Not everyone can cope with the feeling associated with formally learning a new language. It doesn’t seem very easy to some, and that’s where the Qlango comes in. With its online games, you can learn over 40 languages using your phone.

If the iPhone used for learning belongs to a child, parents may also want to configure appropriate controls around applications and device usage. Our guide explains how to block apps on a child’s iOS device, while another resource covers appropriate ways to track a child’s iPhone using available family and location features.

Apple’s location features can also help users locate their own authorized devices. You can explore apps that can track an iPhone online or learn about options to track an iPhone location by number. Any location-monitoring method should be used responsibly and with appropriate authorization.

If a passcode problem prevents you from accessing your educational apps and stored learning material, review the available access options carefully before considering a reset. See how to access an iPhone when you forgot the password, explore additional tips to unlock an iPhone, or learn how to unlock an iPhone passcode without a computer.

Final Thoughts

Learning a new language using your phone is straightforward. Take your time to carefully go through our recommended list of learning apps and select the one that fits what you want.

If you are moving from Android to an iPhone before starting your learning setup, you may also need to migrate conversations and other personal information. Explore these methods to transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone or learn how to transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone without resetting the destination device.

Another walkthrough explains how to transfer WhatsApp messages to a new iPhone 13. If you later switch in the opposite direction, our guide to Backuptrans iPhone WhatsApp to Android Transfer covers an option for moving WhatsApp conversations from iPhone to Android.

Standard SMS conversations may require separate migration when moving between mobile platforms. Follow our guide on how to transfer messages from Android to iPhone. Once your conversations are available, you can also learn how to forward a text message on iPhone.

If you are deciding which iPhone to use for learning apps and everyday activities, you can also read our Apple iPhone 15 review, explore the iPhone SE 3rd Generation review, or look at our earlier iPhone SE review. Comparing these models can help you understand the differences in screen size, performance, cameras, and other features that may affect everyday learning and app use.

Whichever iPhone you use for learning, physical protection can help reduce the risk of damage that interrupts access to your apps and study materials. Owners of Apple’s larger premium model can follow our guide to choosing the perfect iPhone 15 Pro Max cover, while users of a newer Pro model can learn why an iPhone 16 Pro case can be useful for everyday protection.

If you are deciding which iPhone to use for learning apps and everyday activities, you can also explore our iPhone SE 3rd Generation review and our earlier iPhone SE review. These compact models provide another perspective for users comparing Apple’s different iPhone options.

If you prefer a newer mainstream iPhone with updated hardware, cameras, and features, you can also read our Apple iPhone 15 review. Comparing newer and older iPhone models can help you choose a device that provides the screen size, performance, and capabilities you need for learning apps and everyday use.